Snow Vs. Liquid Mass (g)

Broad Question

Does snow as a liquid affect the mass of it as a solid?

Specific Question

Will snow being melted affect the mass?

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjb_7Wm5CTIdrx414HPh0hpLhuN9WAY3FKLYRmCSz7ZUl94Ft5PA

Variables

Independent Variable:

State of matter

Dependent Variable:

Mass of snow (g)

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

The variables that need to be controlled is the heat, how much snow, and the same containers.

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that snow as a solid will weigh more than as a liquid.

Graph of Hypothesis

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General Plan

Experimental Design

I will be conducting my experiment at my house and at school. I will be the only one person involved in is project and that is me. I believe that it will take at least four trials to complete my project. While I am conducting my experiment, I will be using a spreadsheet that is on the computer. While I am doing my project, I will be taking notes on a piece of paper. Once i am done with my project I will transfer the notes to the computer and my wiki page.

Materials List

• Snow
• Ruler
• A plastic bowl
• A container to melt the snow
• Triple beam balance
• A stove/hot plate
• Computer
• paper
• Pencil
• A object to scoop up the snow
• Scale

Detailed Procedure

1. Go out side with container and fill it up to 2cm.
2. Go inside and measure the mass of the snow before melting it.
3. After getting the mass of the snow scrap the snow into a pot and turn the stove on.
4. After the snow has melted measure the mass of it melted.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 three times.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 but with 4cm.
7. Repeat steps 2-5, but with 6 cm and 8 cm.
8. Record data onto data table.

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Background Research

1.The smallest degree in heat can effect what type of snow you get. If it is to cold the snow would become into pellets often called sago snow. Also the higher in altitude you go the more likely you will see snow. 2.Average snow fall for new Hampshire 50-70 inches. 3. A recommended heat to melt the snow for the project is 32 degrees F , to start out with and add a degree for every pound.

• Snow is always changing its structure. If their is dirt in the snow it makes the snow heavier and makes it fall faster. It also causes it to melt faster. Different temperature make the snowflakes into different shapes like.
• 32-25° F - Thin hexagonal plates
• 25-21° F - Needles
• 21-14° F - Hollow columns
• 14-10° F - Sector plates (hexagons wit

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTG8hSfjyv1ROEoralHuMVkIHcNXo0l6LBkUZFYGyV7WSrMA67

References

1..Helmenstine, Anne M. "Snowflake chemistry." About.com. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.,, Web. 20 Jan. 2012. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/a/snowflake.htm>.

2. "New Hampshire Almanac." Kids Almanac online:State facts and figures of 50 states. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.shgresources.com/nh/almanac/>.

3. Tesmar, Tom. "practical Snow Melt Design." Tesmar Application Technology. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://www.tesmar.com/html/snowmelt_design.html>.

4 Watts, Alan. THE WEATHER HANDBOOK 2nd EDITION. 2nd. New york: Sheridan House Inc, 1999. Print.h

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Results

Data table

Graphs

Photos

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRold4LjAlILe_pzPHYSvkTkPf6WOCC8hSc2v4jqhZmx7TZr6S3sA

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Data Analysis

Conclusion

The original purpose of my project was to find out if the mass of snow was more or less than the snow sample as a liquid. The results of the experiment were accurate for the tools I had on me to use.

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Discussion

My hypothesis was that snow as a solid would weigh more then snow as a liquid.
My results support my hypothesis. There was a relationship between the Independent and Dependent variables. At first liquid weighed more the snow as a solid. Then snow weighed more and it started to keep on gaining more weight then the liquid. I think my project went smoothly with few mistakes. I would improve my project by getting a better way of measuring and weighing the snow. An interesting future study would be to figure out how much flooding would happen from snowmelt. You could measure the snow by volume foot and see how much water is left after it melts.